In it's final tune-up for the European Nations in Germany, Ireland dropped two tough decisions against Argentina suffering a 3-2 and a 4-1 loss.
First Match Recap
Ireland played Argentina in the first of a two test series at the National Hockey Stadium in UCD this afternoon. The sides had last met in the INSEP Challenge in Paris in which Ireland came out on top so revenge was the order of the day for Argentina. A superb hat trick by Lucas Vila swept the Argentinians into a three goal lead but Ireland clawed their way back into the game with two goals in the last quarter through Eugene Magee and David Ames. The sides play again tomorrow at 3pm at the National Hockey Stadium in UCD which will be Ireland's final game in their preparations for the European Nations in Germany. Ireland's next game will be v England on Sunday 21st August at 10.00, their 1st game in the Championship.
IRELAND: 2 (Eugene Magee 61 min, David Ames 66 min)
ARGENTINA: Lucas Vila 3 (22, 34 & 41 mins)
Second Match Recap
Ireland took on Argentina in their second test in as many days in what are their final preparation tests prior to the Europeans.
The play ensued at a good pace Ireland looking threatening from the off, Ireland scored in the 21st minute securing a deserved lead when John Jermyn finished off a goal mouth scramble. But just 6 minutes later Argentina levelled the sides when Ibarra converted his drag effort to make it 1-1 before half time.
Argentina capitalised on their chances in the second half putting a further 3 goals away despite some great defensive play by Ireland marshalled by Gormley. Ireland went 2-1 down in the 59minute when Innocente converted a great chance set up by Rossi, unfortunately Ireland's immediate counter went unrewarded when Watkins shot went wide. Argentina took another chance in the 60th when they slotted home their penalty corner effort low and hard to go 3-1 up thanks to Ibarra once again. Ireland continue to make chances but Argentina put the game beyond Ireland's reach in the 64m when they secured a penalty stroke as a result of Conor Harte's sliding tackle at the top of the circle Bergner showed some pace firing home the stroke for his sides 4th and final goal.
Commenting after the match Paul Revington said "I don't think the score line correctly represents the strength of our game today, while we are disappointed with one defensive error out of the four goals, we are more disappointed with the fact that we did not score from more of our chances during the game. The summer has been characterised by us scoring in those phases and that is where our frustration lies from today."
Revington will now have to choose his final two players for the Europeans later this month, the announcement of which is likely to made in the next two days.
Round up of Women's Practise Matches (all played in UCD)
Match 1: Ireland 0 - 1 Spain (Thursday 4th August)
Match 2: Ireland 0 - 1 Spain (Friday 5th August)
Match 3: Ireland 1 - 3 Spain (Sunday 7th August)
Source: Irish Hockey Media Release
